"What
food does Allah (God) suggest? He suggests the food that is
good for us and does not make us ill - food that is for human
consumption and not for animals."

The Honorable Elijah Muhammad

How To Eat To Live - Book I

The
Messenger of Allah, The Honorable Elijah Muhammad, was very
specific in "How
To Eat To Live - Book I"
and "How
To Eat To Live - Book II",
concerning the value of a vegetarian diet (meaning meat free) and it's effects
on physical and mental well-being. In addition to touting
the virtues of vegetarian cooking and eating, The Messenger
detailed the kinds of vegetables which are good for us and
those which we should avoid. Included below are some vegetarian
recipes which have been tried and found to be very tasty,
as well as easy to prepare. Of course, all of these recipes,
as well as all of your vegetarian cooking, should be done
with fresh vegetables. I always make this substitution when
the recipe mentions frozen or canned vegetables.

The most important and most common vegetable dish in most
households is "Bean Soup" made with small navy beans. This
soup is a mealtime staple in NOI homes across the country.
It is both nutritious and filling and it is recommended by
The Messenger as the first food for our infants.

Soak beans overnight or quick soak by bringing beans to a
boil for 2-3 minutes and soak for I hour. Soaking cuts cooking
time by approximately 1/2 . Rinse the beans thoroughly, discarding
all of the water used for soaking and clean the remnants of
the water from the pot used. Replace beans in a full pot of
clean, cool water and place on top of the stove at a medium
to medium high setting. Dice or thinly slice the onion and
the cloves. Add the whole bay leaves. Cook until beans are
tender, then add spices, reduce heat and slow cook until the
desired consistency of beans and bean stock is achieved.

1. Clean the asparagus well and cut off 2-inch tips to be
used later. Cut the crisp part of the remaining stalks into
I-inch pieces.
2. Toast the bread and cut into 1-inch squares.
3. In a shallow casserole or a rectangular baking dish 10"
x 6" x 2" arrange alternate layers of bread squares, asparagus
and cheese.
4. Combine the eggs, milk, salt, pepper, and butter.
5. Pour over the casserole and bake in a 325 degree oven 45
minutes to an hour, or until the custard is set.
6. At the same time salt the remaining tips and wrap them
in a square of aluminum foil. Fold the edges to seal and put
them in the oven with the casserole. Unwrap and arrange on
the top of the pudding before serving.
Serves 8

1. Melt the butter in a saucepan, blend in the flour, gradually
add the milk, season, and simmer 5 minutes or so.
2. Stir in the carrots.
3. Remove from the heat and stir in the well beaten yolks.
Cool to lukewarm.
4. Fold in the egg whites beaten until stiff but not dry.
5. Pour gently into a small greased souffle dish or casserole
and bake in a moderate oven, 350 degrees, 50-60 minutes, until
souffle feels firm at the center, or until a knife inserted
in the center comes out clean.
Serves 6-8

1. Wash eggplant and cover with boiling water. Add 1 tablespoon
of the salt and boil 20 minutes. Turn it several times to
cook evenly, since it will ride on the top of the water. Drain
and rinse in cold water.
2. Peel the eggplant and cut in 1/4-inch cubes.
3. Heat the oil in a skillet and lightly saute the onion.
Stir in the eggplant, green pepper, tomato, basil, oregano,
remaining 1/2 tablespoon salt, and pepper.
4. Place in a greased medium casserole, cover with crumbs,
and dot with butter. 5. Bake in a 350 degree oven about 30
minutes, or until well-browned.
Serves 4-5

1. Roll out the pastry and line a 9-inch pie plate
2. Saute the shallots in butter until barely tender, and stir
in the spinach, from which you have pressed out as much water
as possible
3. Put the spinach mixture in a blender with salt and pepper,
nutmeg, and eggs. Blend 20 seconds
4. Without stopping the blender pour in the cream and blend
about 5 seconds more.
5. Pour into the pastry shell and sprinkle with the cheese
6. Bake in a 375 degree oven 35-40 minutes, or until well
puffed and firm in the center.
Serves 6

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and butter a shallow
ovenproof dish. Trim the leeks, cut a slit from top to bottom
and rinse well under cold water.
2. Place the leeks in a saucepan of water, bring to a boil
and simmer gently for 6-8 minutes until just tender. Remove
and drain well using a slotted spoon and arrange in the prepared
dish.
3. Beat the eggs with the goat cheese, yogurt and half the
Parmesan cheese and season well with salt and pepper.
4. Pour the cheese and yogurt mixture over the leeks. Mix
the bread crumbs and remaining Parmesan cheese together and
sprinkle over the sauce. Bake in the oven for 35-40 minutes
until the top is crisp and golden brown.
Serves 4

1. Lightly grease a baking sheet. Preheat the oven to 350
degrees F.
2. Sift the dry ingredients into a large bowl, adding any
bran left in the sifter back to the bowl.
3. Rub the butter into the flour mixture, then add enough
milk to make a soft dough. You may not need all of it, so
add it cautiously.
4. Knead lightly until smooth, then transfer to the baking
sheet an d shape into a large mound about 2 inches thick.
5. Using the floured handle of a wooden spoon, form a large
cross on top of the dough. Sprinkle with a little extra whole-wheat
flour.
6. Bake for 40-50 minutes, until risen and firm. Cool for
5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool more.